Carol A. Blake

Tue, 06/06/2017 - 1:08pmadmin

ATHOL — Funeral services were held on Monday morning, June 5, 2017, at the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery in Winchendon for Carole A. (Rice) Blake, 78, of South Athol Road, who died peacefully at home on May 26.

Rev. Judy Jones of the Orange United Methodist Church officiated. Following the committal service, a celebration of life was held at the King Phillip Restaurant in Phillipston.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main St., Orange, was honored with directing the arrangements.

ATHOL — Carole A. (Rice)(Bernard) Blake, 78, of South Athol Road, died at home peacefully on Friday morning, May 26, 2017, with family at her side.

Born in Montague, on Feb. 10, 1939, she was a daughter of the late Olin and Alice (Plunkett) Rice and grew up in Athol, graduating from Athol High School.

Carole married Raymond F. Blake on June 27, 1970, and they had enjoyed 45 years until his death on Aug. 30, 2015. She had previously been married to Paul Bernard.

Employed by Athol Memorial Hospital before retiring, she had been a receptionist and also worked in the X-ray department. Carole had previously worked for the Slencil Company in Orange doing silkscreening.

Carole had enjoyed snowmobiling, the South Athol Church suppers, oil painting, gardening, birds, four-wheeling, horses, the ocean and her beloved dog, Ozzy.

A loving mother and grandmother, Carole will be greatly missed.

Survivors include her children, Michelle Bernard of North Carolina, Michael Bernard and his wife, Lorrie, of Orange, Mark Bernard and his wife, Hope, of Tennessee and Scott Blake and his wife, Vicky, of Athol; grandchildren, Christopher Bernard, Brian Bernard, Tiffany Bernard, Corey Bernard, Brandon Blake, Melinda McNichols and Elliott McNichols; a stepsister, Cynthia A. Snow of Florida; and many friends.

Besides her parents, Carole was predeceased by her stepmother, Ruth, a daughter, Cindy McNichols in 1994, a brother, Alan Rice of Florida, a sister, Donna Rice at an early age, and a stepsister, Patricia A. (Snow) Hayden of Athol.

There are no calling hours.

A service and interment will take place on Monday, June 5, at 11 a.m., in the Massachusetts Veterans’ Memorial Cemetery, 111 Glenallen St., Winchendon.

Following the service at the cemetery, a celebration of Carole’s life will be held at the King Phillip Restaurant, 35 State Rd., (Route 2A), Phillipston.

Donations in Carole’s memory can be made to the American Cancer Society, 30 Speen St., Framingham, MA 01701.

Witty’s Funeral Home, 158 South Main St,, Orange, is directing the arrangements.